together at the exit. I was waiting for a taxi, and saw you get into
your car. Now you know just why I fell over the chair."

Forbes glanced up quickly.

"Don't tell me Tomlinson forgot to move that infernal chair again!" he
cried. "Really, I must get rid either of our butler or the Canaletto,
yet I prize both."

"Don't blame Tomlinson, Dad," laughed the girl. "If Mr. Theydon hadn't
made an unconventional entry we would have talked about the weather,
or something equally stupid."

At that moment Tomlinson himself, imperturbable and portly, announced
that dinner was served. The three descended the stairs, chatting
lightly about the musical comedy witnessed overnight. It was no new
revelation to Theydon that truth should prove stranger than fiction,
but the trite phrase was fast assuming a fresh and sinister personal
significance. He believed, and not without good reason, that no man
living had ever undergone an experience comparable with his present
adventure.

When he left that house he was going straight to two officers of the
law whose bounden duty it would become to call upon Mr. Forbes for a
full and true explanation of his visit to Mrs. Lester-- provided, that
is, he (Theydon) told them what he knew. Talk about a death's-head
grinning at a feast! At that bright dinner-table he was a prey to
keener emotion than ever shook a Borgia entertaining one whom he meant
to poison.